Local chapter of DAR to co-host story time at SPL

Apr. 11—Elementary-aged readers will have a chance to learn more about America's history at a story time and birthday party at the Stillwater Public Library April 26.

SPL and members of the Cimarron Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution are hosting the event, which includes a birthday party to celebrate America's 250th anniversary, cookies and a story time from 3-4:30 p.m. on Friday, April 26 in the third floor reception area at the library, 1107 S. Duck St.

Guests will enjoy cookies made from eight First Ladies' original cookie recipes, including from Martha Washington, Michelle Obama, Melania Trump and Laura Bush.

Paper dolls of the First Ladies also will be given out with the cookies.

The story time begins at 3:30 p.m., and members of DAR will be dressed in period costume and read from the book "John, Paul, George & Ben," a story by children's author Lane Smith about the lives of John Hancock, Paul Revere, George Washington and Ben Franklin.

The event is free and open to the public. Younger readers and their families are also encouraged to attend.

"We think history is interesting, and so we try to present it in an interesting way that will pique (students') interest and maybe cause them to check out a book at the library on the American Revolution," said Patty Armbruster, chair of DAR's celebration grant committee. "... If they get away from just the dates, the stories are just fascinating."

The event is part of a month-long celebration by members of DAR, focusing on America's upcoming 250th anniversary.

DAR is a nonprofit organization founded over 125 years ago. Members of DAR are passionate about community service, preserving history and educating children — in addition to honoring and supporting those who serve the nation. They volunteer in local chapters and focus their grassroots efforts on the mission of DAR.

As the anniversary approaches, DAR has encouraged its members to celebrate early. Approximately 250 events will be celebrated by DAR chapters nationwide for the next two years leading up to America's 250th anniversary.

This year, the focus is on celebrating the anniversary of the Boston Tea Party.

The DAR Cimarron chapter donated 25 Revolutionary War-themed books for the library as the first phase of its celebration during the month of April.

Last week, three members of the Cimarron chapter, dressed in period costume, read to 150 fifth-grade students from Highland Park Elementary, Will Rogers Elementary, Skyline Elementary and Westwood Elementary.

They also gave each student a bookmark and donated one copy of "John, Paul, George & Ben" to the school's library and a lesson plan for each school.

Armbruster said the book had to go through an approval process by Stillwater Public Schools Superintendent Uwe Gordon, who then contacted the school principals.

She said DAR members felt "lucky" that they were able to get into the schools and present the book, and they were happy to share America's history with students.

The third phase of celebrating America's 250th anniversary will culminate in the library event.

Armbruster said that there's more of a focus on STEM education in today's learning.

"The social studies have really taken a back seat," Armbruster said. "There's just not much going on right now in the social studies because of the emphasis on STEM."

She said DAR takes every chance to promote history at events such as Constitution Week or at events such as America's 250th anniversary.

"(The 250th anniversary) is kind of like the eclipse," Armbruster said. "It's a once-in-a-lifetime thing. (Students) are lucky that they are alive when the 250th happens."

Armbruster said DAR received grant monies to promote the library event, but the Cimarron chapter members raised all the monies for the SPL book donation.

For more information about the event, call Patty Armbruster at 405-377-9470.